Roman sarcophagus of 1,500 years discovered under the historic center of the town of Cavtat, Croatia

A Roman stone sarcophagus, dating from the 4th to 6th centuries AD, was recently discovered beneath the historic center of the town of Cavtat, Croatia.

This discovery, made in the ancient necropolis of Epidaur, is considered one of the most important archaeological finds in the country in recent years. The sarcophagus was found during excavations at the archaeological site Zorina 8, where researchers are investigating the cemetery of the former Roman colony. The coffin, which weighs approximately five tons and is located three meters below ground level, has remained sealed for 1,500 years, with visible traces of the original mortar used for sealing.

Upon opening the lid, archaeologists confirmed that inside were the remains of a single individual, although they were poorly preserved. Organic samples and materials from inside the sarcophagus will be analyzed in the laboratory using dating and spectrometry methods to obtain additional information about the burial. This discovery underscores the importance of the archaeological site and its contribution to understanding Roman history in Croatia.